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The Bengals haven't just looked different on the field this season than in previous years. The expectations surrounding them were held to higher levels.

This wasn't only a pressure shined onto the team from outside sources, but very much felt inside the locker room at Paul Brown Stadium. Standing back now as AFC North champions, the players can admit the self-imposed expectations served as a major reason for their title.

"This year we won 10 games and we lost five, but it seems like because our expectations were so high this year, to lose five games, it felt like we lost 10," defensive back Chris ...